The City of Sydney is supporting a national roundtable that will bring together peak music and government bodies to strengthen Australia’s contemporary music industry.

More than 100 representatives from music bodies, specialist agencies, independent and major record labels, booking agents, artist managers and publishers have committed to progressing a National Music Business Plan that will provide a roadmap for growing Australia’s music scene.

Led by Music Australia, the two-day roundtable in August will feature discussions on music policy, industry development, venues, export, music education and research, involving leading music industry identities, performers senior executives and international speakers.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the project was about ensuring the viability of the music industry and increasing employment opportunities for local musicians and others in the industry.

“We’ve worked hard to develop and maintain good relationships with the music industry and its various music bodies to support the industry locally, state-wide and around the country,” the Lord Mayor said.

“These relationships have yielded positive results but we need better mechanisms to maintain these relationships, share information and foster a strategic and collaborative approach to industry growth.

“This project aims to improve the viability of the contemporary music industry, and underscore the vital role it has in Sydney’s local economy. For the city to thrive, we need an environment that fosters collaboration and learning.”

The City’s $30,000 sponsorship of the project is part of its Live Music and Performance Action Plan aimed at supporting the live music and performance sector in Sydney.

The City is working with Music Australia and national partners to develop the National Music Business Plan that is expected to be developed and endorsed by June, ahead of the August conference.

As part of the event, the City will collaborate with the Australia Council for the Arts to bring together policy makers and government representatives from around Australia to discuss strategies for government support of the music industry.

Music Australia CEO Chris Bowen welcomed the City’s underwriting of the event.

“This sponsorship will enable us to capitalise on the momentum from the sold-out inaugural event. The Roundtable is set to become Australia’s major music policy and industry development forum – a national brains trust for innovation and development in contemporary music.”